There are different types of cucumber such as Persian, Lemon, Kirby, Japanese, English and Armenian. Nowadays Persian cucumbers are being cultivated all over the world. Persian cucumbers’ shape is cylindrical and squat and its skin is thin and easy to chew.
Because of their smooth skin, Persian cucumbers can be eaten with or without the skin and the flavor remains the same.
What is Cucumber?
The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a part of the Cucurbitaceae family. It is a creeping vine that bears cucumiform fruits that are used as vegetables.
Cucumber plants naturally thrive in both temperate and tropical environments and that’s the reason cucumbers are the fourth most cultivated “vegetable” in the world.
Mostly used and looked at as a vegetable, cucumber is technically a fruit that contains 90% water. Cucumbers belong to the same botanical family as melons (including watermelon and cantaloupe) and squashes (including summer squash, winter squash, zucchini and pumpkin).
They are generally divided up into categories according to their most dominant attributes. There are three main varieties of cucumber: slicing, pickling, and seedless. The cucumber is thought to have originated in India and has been cultivated for more than 3,000 years. Even though they’re available year-round, cucumbers taste the best in the summer. Cucumbers are high in water and low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
There are different types of cucumber such as Persian, Lemon, Kirby, Japanese, English and Armenian.
Persian Cucumbers: What are they? And why you should choose them?
As its name implies, this type of cucumber originated in Persia (Iran). Nowadays Persian cucumbers are being cultivated all over the world. Persian cucumbers’ shape is cylindrical and squat and its skin is thin and easy to chew. They’re denser than other varieties, with almost no watery seeds.
The average length of Persian cucumbers is around 4 to 6 inches. Persian cucumbers have a smooth outer skin which is dark green and the cucumbers themselves are crunchy and sweet.
Because of their smooth skin, Persian cucumbers can be eaten with or without the skin and the flavor remains the same. Persian cucumbers are part of the “burpless” category.
Because cucumber seeds occasionally cause people to burp but Persian cucumbers are seedless so they are called “burpless” cucumber. Burpless cucumbers are usually sweeter and have a thinner skin than other types of cucumber. They are considered to be easy to digest and to have a pleasant taste. Persian cucumbers are also considered less bitter than other types. There are several different cultivars of Persian cucumbers, both heirloom and hybrid, including Figaro and Cordito.
How Persian Cucumbers are grown?
Cucumbers are extremely susceptible to frost damage; the soil must be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit for germination. The ideal time to pick a Persian cucumber is when the fruit reaches 4 to 6-inches in length.
If it’s allowed to grow bigger, bitter seeds may develop that will compromise the flavor. Any cucumbers left on the vine too long will also get tough skins and lower plant productivity. Cucumbers are picked by using a knife or clippers. The stem above the fruit is cut. Pulling the fruit may damage the vine.
What are the health benefits of Persian cucumbers?
Persian Cucumbers are known to cool the body and are considered to be packed with health benefits. Below some of these benefits are explained:
Hydration:
The body can’t function properly without water. Water is involved in processes like temperature regulation and the transportation of waste products and nutrients so it’s important to keep yourself hydrated. Persian Cucumbers are about 95 percent water. A study showed that reaching for a cucumber after finishing an intense workout may hydrate your body twice as effectively as a glass of water.
Better skin and Hair:
Persian Cucumbers are great source of different nutrients like water, potassium, sulfate and vitamins A and C and natural anti-inflammatories that soothe and calm skin conditions like sunburns. If you put cucumbers on the eyes, they can help decrease morning puffiness. The high water content helps to hydrate tender skin in the eye region. Their cold minimizes the swelling by constricting the blood and lymph vessels that bring fluid to the eye area. Cucumbers are packed with silica. The silicon and sulfur in cucumbers help to stimulate hair growth.
Weight Loss:
Cucumber is a low-calorie and fat-free fruit. This means you can eat plenty of cucumbers without fear of weight gain. Persian Cucumbers have negligible amount of sugar that will help you lose weight effectively. The soluble fiber in cucumbers dissolves into a gel-like texture in your gut and helps your digestion to slow down which also helps you to feel full longer.
Cancer Prevention:
Recent studies concluded that cucumbers contain powerful lignans (pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol), that contribute to reducing risk of several cancers, including breast, uterus, ovarian, and prostate cancers. The decreased risk of estrogen-related cancers such as cancers of the breast, ovary, uterus, and prostate, has been associated with intake of dietary lignans from a variety of different plant foods, including cucumber.
A Greek study also found that women with breast cancer consumed significantly fewer cucumbers than those without breast cancer. A Swiss study found that consumption of Persian cucumbers, among other fruits and vegetables, was associated with significant protection against breast cancer.
Heart Health:
Cucumbers contain dozens of antioxidants, including flavonoids, which are known to protect against heart disease. Cucumbers also contain lignin, which is referred to as an anti-inflammatory element that helps boost your immunity and reduces the occurrence of all the risks associated with cardiovascular disease. The most amount of damage that is caused by a heart attack is a result of the free radicals that are created and the caffeic acid in Persian cucumbers helps removing them.
Reduce Blood Sugar:
Cucumbers consist of certain substances that help the pancreas to produce more insulin in the body. This stimulation decreases the diabetic’s sugar production.
Healthy Kidney:
Cucumbers are famous as the best kidney cleanser known to date. This is because they help to wash the kidneys and bladder of debris and stones. Studies have shown that eating Persian cucumbers regularly helps to regulate uric acid in the body, thereby preventing certain kidney and bladder stones.
Bone and Joint Health:
Persian Cucumber is a good source of vitamin K which is essential for bone health, as low vitamin K intakes have been associated with a higher risk for bone fracture.
Vitamin K is also important for improving calcium absorption in the bones. Cucumber is an excellent source of silica, which is known to help promoting joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. They are also rich in vitamin A, B1, B6, C & D, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium.
Blood Clotting:
Cucumber is also good for blood clotting. Cucumber contains a lot of vitamin K, which helps blood to clot quickly.
Digestion and Constipation:
Persian Cucumbers help relieve constipation because they provide both fiber and water. Cucumbers contain fiber, which helps regulate bowel movements. In particular, pectin, the type of soluble fiber found in cucumbers, can help increase bowel movement frequency.
The high water content and dietary fiber in cucumbers are very effective in ridding the body of toxins from the digestive system, aiding digestion. Cucumbers are rich in fiber besides nutrients and minerals like calcium, folate, fat, C vitamins and erepsin, a protein which is very effective in ensuring proper digestion.
Brain Health:
Persian Cucumbers contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin. Fisetin improves your memory and protects your nerve cells from age-related decline. Cucumber contains trace mineral called molybdenum. Molybdenum is especially important in the enzyme functions of the brain and even the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
Bad Breath:
Bad breath is usually caused by bacteria in the mouth. The fluid in cucumbers, as well as the saliva production triggered by chewing, helps to cleanse the mouth and wash away these smelly culprits.
Reduce Stress:
Cucumbers contain multiple B vitamins, including vitamin B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin B7 (biotin). B vitamins are known to help ease feelings of anxiety and buffer some of the damaging effects of stress.
Pain Relief:
Persian Cucumbers are rich with anti-inflammatory compounds, such as flavonoids which are powerful pain-reducing substances. These compounds restrict the proliferation of free radicals in the body and that leads to less pain. Persian Cucumbers are specifically known for reducing toothache; a chilled cucumber or slice of fresh cucumber can be held against the tooth that hurts which would relief the pain. Put it in your mouth directly on the infected tooth. The coolness from the cucumber will soothe the ache and take away the pain.
Liver Health:
Cucumbers are rich in B vitamins, vitamin C and trace minerals so they are the best liver benefiting foods. When eaten on a daily basis, Persian cucumbers can reverse liver damage, dialing back 10 to 15 years of toxin exposure.
Persian Cucumber, American Cucumber & English Cucumber
Persian and English cucumbers are both thin-skinned so they can be served unpeeled, and both are nearly seedless. English cucumbers tend to be about a foot long, while Persian cucumbers are only about 4 to 6 inches. American cucumbers tend to have tough seeds, thick bumpy skins and a bit of bitter taste.
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Sources: https://www.persiansarenotarabs.com/persian-cucumber/